I would like to start a debate regarding the terminals in the game. What I now is that right now the standard AS terminal (that we are almost all use) is a 3 star terminal with no jetways.
The first problem: why should we be able to build a 1 or 2 star terminal? We are all looking for improving the image of the company not decreasing. So, my proposal is to consider the standard AS terminal as a 0 star terminal, no jetways and to have an image benefit even from the building of the 1 star terminal.
Than, the second issue that I have found is that the difference in cost for one more star for a passenger terminal is only of 180.000 AS$ and that is a total of 720.000 AS$ from 1 star to 5 star and I consider that this is not the real cost for the difference in comfort and amenities for the terminals. If we are considering the difference between a 3 star and a 5 star that is even low. My proposal is to differentiate more between terminals costs and to aim that a 5 star terminals is only for the best airlines that are really afford one. Of course, this should be collaborate with the first proposal and the next one.
The third proposal, that as far as I know is in the to do list for the team, is the introductions of the company and alliances lounges. I consider this as a new step forward for the game as we will be able to differentiate even more our services. We could have companies with no ground services (lets call it standard ones), we could have companies with business / first lounges and companies that have their own terminals (from 1 star to 5 stars, with jetways or without). Also, we can have another category of companies that are using alliance facilities.
I would really like to know your opinions and maybe we can help the team with new ideas to be implemented in the future.
The first problem: why should we be able to build a 1 or 2 star terminal? We are all looking for improving the image of the company not decreasing. So, my proposal is to consider the standard AS terminal as a 0 star terminal, no jetways and to have an image benefit even from the building of the 1 star terminal.
Than, the second issue that I have found is that the difference in cost for one more star for a passenger terminal is only of 180.000 AS$ and that is a total of 720.000 AS$ from 1 star to 5 star and I consider that this is not the real cost for the difference in comfort and amenities for the terminals. If we are considering the difference between a 3 star and a 5 star that is even low. My proposal is to differentiate more between terminals costs and to aim that a 5 star terminals is only for the best airlines that are really afford one. Of course, this should be collaborate with the first proposal and the next one.
I'm not sure I agree. Also remember that the terminal will save 11AS$ per PAX. It is a very long term investment to get the money back but it is still there, and this advantage is the same regardless of what star the terminal is. So it could certainly be something a Low Cost Carrier would find interesting if the game is changed to better accomodate these in the future.
I agree that it could be a bit more expensive to increase terminals with high quality for game balance.
For example Dubai International T3 cost 4.5 billion US$ to increase capacity by 43 million PAX annually (827k weekly). That means 10.9 million US$ per 2k weekly.
The advantage that a 5 star + Jetway terminal gives on each flight is easily seen, both in the flight rating and the ORS tool. The cost is very high, though. I think it's good to have the cost quite high so you really have to work to get a terminal. If they were cheap, you'd see the building slots go just as fast as the runway slots.
it's been a long time since I calculated how much a terminal costs per passenger, or how much you save. However, I do remember that your company employs handlers to staff your terminals. So you save 11 dollar per passenger, minus a few dollar for the handlers.
@Aleks
How do you calculate the return on investment of a bought plane ? I believe mine are paid for in slightly more than two years.
How do you calculate the return on investment of a bought plane ? I believe mine are paid for in slightly more than two years.
Look at the cost buying any new plane and compare it to your weekly leasing cost. You will find that the cost of buying it is 200 times higher then weekly leasing = RoI of 200 weeks for a brand new airplane.
It will be lower with time as the cost of buying the airplane gets reduced the older it is.
Form your numbers:
you said 4.5 billion AS$ for additional capacity of 43 million pax.
I was comparing it to how much a real terminal costs -_- The one in Dubai...
As I wrote those numbers are US$ not Airsim dollars :P
I really appreciate your inputs, but I think you missed my main proposal (maybe I was not explain it very well :unsure:): to bring in game a more variate selections of lounges and terminals, to consider the standard AS terminals as the basic one (with 0 stars) and than, maybe, to include this in the long discussed and long awaited marketing page. Of course, to build a terminal right now is very expensive and this is how it should be (in my opinion) as you do not see it very often in the real life and on all airports.
Also, what I would like to see is an advantage for the alliances in terms of terminal and lounges. If every member of the alliance has a lounge on its HUB than all members can use it or maybe to be able to build it in common (all members of the alliance to put their money for the terminal and lounges). I think this will be a real step forward for the game and for the benefit of being part of one alliance. Than we can consider it in term of marketing: all passengers from one alliance have access to alliance lounges and terminal and this should be seen in the ORS as a plus.
Of course, the costs and the ROI are important but this is a game and I would like to see it a litle bit more dynamic. Right now if you made yourself a good strategy after a few month you can not develop any more in term of new routes (in combination with the real exiting slot shortage that we are all experience :P).